Kolkata: Taking a dig at his father Mukul Roy and other BJP leaders, Trinamul Congress MLA Shubhrangshu Roy asserted on Wednesday that the state BJP leaders may win Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart, but they would fail when it comes to West Bengal. This is the first time he spoke out in public against his father since Mr Roy joined the BJP.
Referring to Mr Roy and state BJP president Dilip Ghosh, Shubhran-gshu said at a press meet in Kanchrapara of North 24 Parganas, “Someone is claiming to turn West Bengal into a crematorium. Someone is speaking of gifting smartphones. Others are showing papers. By doing all these the PM’s heart can be won. But the hearts of the people of West Bengal can not be won this way.”
His comments came close on the heels of Mr Roy’s declaration that the BJP would gift smartphones among young generation if it wins the zilla parishad in Jalpaiguri in the panchayat polls during an election campaign rally in the North Bengal district.
On May 5 at Ghughudanga Mr Roy said, “The BJP is in a good condition. There will be no need for Khela, Mela, Leela (games, fair and drama) if you can help the BJP win the Jalpaiguri zilla parishad.”
“And if the zilla parishad is won, it will gift smartphone to each and every member of the young generation, above the age of 18 years because our government wants cashless transaction. Smartphone is needed for cashless transactions.”
Clearly differing with his father, the Trinamul MLA of Bijpur elaborated, “West Bengal people’s hearts can not be won by spreading personal canards. Showing some papers people’s hearts can not be won.”
“The hearts of people of West Bengal are in favour of development and Mamata Banerjee. I think the way Ms Banerjee has been undertaking development works in the state, the people will bless her party with massive votes in the panchayat elections. Mamata Banerjee has come to power here through struggle. Where is struggle in other parties? Who observed fast for 26 days? Mamata Banerjee is Mamata Banerjee. No one can come close to her even,” the TMC MLA said.
He, however, refused to comment on the Trinamul district president of North 24 Parganas and food supplies minister Jyotipriyo Mullick’s remark that he should quit the TMC immediately.
